Orioles season preview: 14 questions for 2014 [Pictures]

CaptionBack to Birdland

Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun

Things did not start well for the O's. At the beginning of the offseason, fans voiced their displeasure with the Orioles on radio airwaves, message boards and social media as the club worked patiently to make improvements. After missing the playoffs last year despite a second-straight winning season, Orioles supporters grew increasingly frustrated as the club traded star closer Jim Johnson to the Oakland Athletics and his potential replacement, Grant Balfour, failed a physical that voided his two-year agreement with the team. But shortly after the Orioles headed south for the start of spring training in Sarasota, Fla., the club made a few free-agent signings to dramatically change the outlook for the 2014 season. Expectations skyrocketed after the team signed right-handed pitchers Suk-min Yoon and Ubaldo Jimenez, as well as outfielder Nelson Cruz, within a two-week stretch in mid-February. Following those moves and the club's minor league deal earlier this month with veteran left-hander Johan Santana -- who is rehabbing from left shoulder surgery and likely won't be able to help the Orioles until June -- fans seem to be itching for the start of the season March 31 against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. So with Opening Day in our sights, it's time to take a look at 14 questions for the 2014 season. -- By Dean Jones Jr/The Baltimore Sun

Things did not start well for the O's. At the beginning of the offseason, fans voiced their displeasure with the Orioles on radio airwaves, message boards and social media as the club worked patiently to make improvements. After missing the playoffs last year despite a second-straight winning season, Orioles supporters grew increasingly frustrated as the club traded star closer Jim Johnson to the Oakland Athletics and his potential replacement, Grant Balfour, failed a physical that voided his two-year agreement with the team. But shortly after the Orioles headed south for the start of spring training in Sarasota, Fla., the club made a few free-agent signings to dramatically change the outlook for the 2014 season. Expectations skyrocketed after the team signed right-handed pitchers Suk-min Yoon and Ubaldo Jimenez, as well as outfielder Nelson Cruz, within a two-week stretch in mid-February. Following those moves and the club's minor league deal earlier this month with veteran left-hander Johan Santana -- who is rehabbing from left shoulder surgery and likely won't be able to help the Orioles until June -- fans seem to be itching for the start of the season March 31 against the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. So with Opening Day in our sights, it's time to take a look at 14 questions for the 2014 season. -- By Dean Jones Jr/The Baltimore Sun (Jerry Jackson / Baltimore Sun)

Caption1. Can the team return to the postseason after falling short in 2013?

Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun

The Orioles remained in contention for a playoff spot until the final two weeks last season, but the end result disappointed fans after the team's march to the American League Division Series in 2012. After the Tampa Bay Rays swept the Orioles in a four-game series at Tropicana Field in late September, fans had to settle for a second-straight winning season (85-77) under manager Buck Showalter. The fan base, however, won't be satisfied with another season that ends short of a playoff berth. After the offseason additions of Jimenez and Cruz, combined with the veteran core already on the roster, the Orioles expect to make a deep run into the postseason this year. The Orioles' resurgence in the past two seasons ultimately gives Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette plenty of breathing room before fans call for their replacements, but another step back this year would start to awaken the critics.

The Orioles remained in contention for a playoff spot until the final two weeks last season, but the end result disappointed fans after the team's march to the American League Division Series in 2012. After the Tampa Bay Rays swept the Orioles in a four-game series at Tropicana Field in late September, fans had to settle for a second-straight winning season (85-77) under manager Buck Showalter. The fan base, however, won't be satisfied with another season that ends short of a playoff berth. After the offseason additions of Jimenez and Cruz, combined with the veteran core already on the roster, the Orioles expect to make a deep run into the postseason this year. The Orioles' resurgence in the past two seasons ultimately gives Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette plenty of breathing room before fans call for their replacements, but another step back this year would start to awaken the critics. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)